Volumes

INTERNAL AUDIT COMMITTEE IN CO-OPERATIVES : COMPLIANCE TO THE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES ACT 1993

Abstract

The framework of internal audit was introduced into the co-operative sector with the enforcement of the Co-operative Societies Act (CSA) 1993 in January 1994, which clearly spelt out the functions and powers of the Internal Audit Committee ( IAC ). The objective of this research is to study the extent to which the lACs are functioning in compliance with provisions of the co-operative law as well as provide an insight into the IAC s level of knowledge of their functions, experience as IAC members, attendance of mandatory training and frequency of audit and audit reports. Three IAC members were randomly chosen as respondents from a sample of 274 co-operatives. Data was collected using a self administered questionnaire. Responses were received from 473 IAC members from 176 co-operatives, a response rate of 64.2%.The findings indicate one third of the IAC have yet to attend the mandatory course.Those who have attended this training have a significantly better knowledge of their functions. One third (33.3%) are not complying with the legal requirement to audit once in 3 months. A substantial number of IAC are not submitting audit reports in compliance with the law. It is also found that those who have attended mandatory training, have more than one years' experience as IAC or receive allowances tend to carry out significantly more frequent audits.

PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN SELECTED CO-OPERATIVES IN MALAYSIA

Abstract

The level of participation of women in the co-operative movement is still considered to be unsatisfactory. While women members constitute 34% of the total membership of co-operatives in the country. out of a total of 27,664 Board Members of co-operatives (excluding school co-operatives), men dominate (90.7%) representing 24,992 members, while women only form 10% represented by 2,672 members. The purpose of this study was to explore the participation of women in selected co-operatives in Peninsular Malaysia and to determine variations of their participation across selected demographic variables. Women's participation in co-operatives was measured using a measurement scale developed based on various co-operative activities that indicate participation. It was found that there was a significant difference in the level of participation between two women s groups namely, women from the women-only co-operatives and women from mixed co-operatives. Further exploration of their participation indicates that women with children below 18 years old tended to be comparatively more active in the co-operative movement than those without children of a similar age group.Women who were self-employed and working with the government were found to be more active than women who were in the private sector. Self-employed housewives had more available time to participate in the co-operative movement. This was also the case among those working with the government. In addition, it was found that woman members with university education were found to be less actively participating, as compared to woman members with secondary education. In general many situations and factors contribute to varying levels of women's participation in co-operatives.

HRM PRACTICES AND EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE IN CO-OPERATIVES: DIRECT AND INDIRECT RELATIONSHIP

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between human resource management ( HRM ) practices, affective organisational commitment and employee performance. Specifically, the direct and indirect relationship between HRM practices and employee performance was examined using the Structural Equation Modelling technique. A questionnaire survey was carried out among clerical employees in service-based co-operatives inWest Malaysia and a sample of 516 respondents was analysed. The study revealed that HRM practices, specifically training and development, performance appraisal, communication and participation and rewards, had a significant direct positive relationship with employee performance. An indirect relationship between HRM practices and employee performance mediated by affective organisational commitment was also observed. However, the direct relationship was stronger than the indirect relationship. The results suggest that HRM practices are more important in enhancing employee performance directly rather than indirectly, through fostering affective organisational commitment.

BUILDING LEARNING ORGANISATIONS : AN OVERVIEW

Abstract

This article offers an overview on building learning organisations by looking at various definitions of a learning oganisation and describing the attributes of one. It goes on to suggest approaches to facilitate learning in organisations, proposing that there should be a change from the traditional approach of formal training to the support of learning on the job and learning outside of jobs and shifting from teaching to learning and from learning to development. Also detailed out is a three dimensional approach to establish a learning organisation; continuous inter-action and integration in the domains between the individuals, team and organisational learning. Finally, the article also enlightens the readers on the pre-requisites, enhancing and inhibiting factors as well as the function of leadership in establishing a learning organisation.

METHODS AND TECHNIQUES OF DEVELOPING CO-OPERATIVE BUSINESS NETWORK FOR HIGHER ECONOMIC RESULTS

Abstract

The role of agricultural co-operatives in production and marketing is significant in the developing economies of the world. Based on the experience of developing countries with the ‘no-subsidies syndrome, things are gradually becoming difficult and expensive for the farmers. Farmers are now forced to rely on others for cooperation, collaboration and support. An era of networking’ has thus been ushered not only in the agricultural sector but also in all other trade-related sectors. This is one of the ways to insulate the agricultural sector from negative influences. A ‘network' may be defined as the chain of people or institutions working together to achieve common goals i.e., higher economic returns. Members of the network help each other by exchanging information, sharing ideas and experiences, using each other s contacts and making joint strategies. Types of networks are: Issue-based, Board-based, Area-specific and Donor/Fund-driven networks. These days computers, the internet and visits to websites have become essential tools to access, accumulate and disseminate information on various aspects. Information needs to be collected on suppliers of raw materials and inputs, sources of such inputs. producers and products. Data is to be collected on various linkages - the consumption areas,interested parties,market informationand the markets within and outside the country. Information also needs to be collected on methods and techniques used and procedures followed by the suppliers and consumers/users. Networking is advantageous both to the producers as well as the consumers.Through networking information and facilitation can be obtained on the World Trade Organisation (WTO), ISO certification, E-commerce, E-shopping, Internet, networking and clustering, and frequent ‘buyer-sellers’ meets. This paper also covers the actualisation of international trade and the methodology to develop contracts and agreements. Networking is not a mere digital game using computers and correspondents. It is a systematic scheme based on the use of carefully collected and analysed data It is not a person-to-person contact. It is a complete whole of the entire environment. It has inputs and outputs and contains scope for review, appraisals and improvements. Above all it helps the producer to earn more and the consumer to save more.

NATIONAL CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION SYSTEM : A KEY TO THE SUCCESS OF CO-OPERATIVISM IN THE PHILIPPINES

Abstract

Co-operativism in the Philippines is developing towards institutional viability. The pieces of success in co-operatives should be enhanced by creating a pool of manpower with appropriate education and training on co-operatives to serve as the backbone of the development process. A national co-operative education system that shall evolve into a Co-operative College is proposed in order to have an organized, systematic and continuing system of education for co-operatives. The system shall have active participation of the government, the co-operative sector and the state colleges and universities (SCUs ) to have an efficient and effective conduct of co-operative education and training in various parts of the country. Elements of the system shall include the network of educational institutions, standard curricula, information and teaching materials and regular budget